Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Rivendell

Edited to add:I want to share a few reflections about the initial feedback that I've gotten on this pattern.

First - reflections on the pattern itself. I realize that not everyone is crazy about staghorn cables, but I want to stress that a wide cable is key to the structural integrity of this hat. The slight flare of the brim is only obtained because of the way that the cable pulls in the fabric (you'd have to play around with post-brim decreases if you want to get rid of the cable). The brim also depends on a good, stiff fabric, so you might want to take that into consideration before going for a a soft, lux yarn.

Second - reflections on the experience of publishing a knitting pattern. It's been largely a gratifying process, but once has been enough. I'd failed to appreciate how publishing in an online magazine opens you up to a different quality of criticism than publishing on a personal blog. As harsh and non-constructive as criticism can be in my professional life, at least academic reviewers don't laugh to the world about how bad you look!! : ( Anyways, I thought this side of the experience was worth mentioning for those of you who, like me, have been curious about testing the waters of publishing patterns.

As you know, Hanna, I think the hat is wonderful and I'm really distressed to hear that people made those kinds of attacks on your appearance.

Putting aside for the moment that you are objectively speaking quite lovely, that kind of thing is never appropriate. I think the internet and its relative anonymity often frees people up to be complete jerks. I doubt that many of them would have the temerity to voice those kinds of criticisms if they had to face the object of their attacks.

I love the hat! I think it is my favorite pattern of all those I've seen in Magknits. I actually came over to your blog just to tell you that! Also, I used to live in Vermont and I miss it a lot, so I hope you'll post lots of gorgeous VT pics so I can enjoy them vicariously!

I am also sorry to hear that people have been less than constructive. I wish people wouldn't take out their bad moods on other people.(why criticize the appearance/pattern/knitting of a total stranger???I think it's a cute hat and looks cute on. Love the name, too.

I also came to the blog just to tell you what a great hat it is. One of the best patterns I've seen. I want to make it because it looks GREAT on. Maybe those of us in New England just appreciate a great hat more!

Congratulation to the publication! The hat looks really nice and even though I haven't knit it yet, I can believe that the construction is quite clever. At least, you obviously gave it a lot of thought! Moreover, I like the pictures you took, they are pretty! I find it so sad to hear that you received stupid comments. Don't listen to any of that unproductive or nasty crap of some anonymous cowards.

I just had to leave a comment as I think both you and "Rivendell" are lovely. I've already received some Merino Style (in an olive color) to make it, and even though I live on the west coast and rarely need wooly hats, I look forward to wearing it out on the town.

I love the top view of the Rivendell cloche, but I'd like to see a side view.

You're speaking as though the pattern is available somewhere, but I can't find it anywhere. The link included goes to a page where you can search for stuff, and it wants to give me all the hats on the internet, including fabric ones!